March 15, 2011

ALA attacks new HarperCollins ebook lending policy

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The American Library Association issued a strong statement yesterday condemning HarperCollins‘ recent announcement that it would only allow libraries to circulate copies of the company’s ebooks 26 times. According to the new ALA statement, the restriction is “of grave concern” and “threatens libraries’ ability to provide their users with access to information.”

As ALA President Roberta Stevens put it,

Libraries have a long history of providing access to knowledge, information and the creative written works of authors. We are committed to equal and free access for the millions of people who depend on their library’s resources every day. While demand has surged, financial support has decreased. The announcement, at a time when libraries are struggling to remain open and staffed, is of grave concern. This new limitation means that fewer people will have access to an increasingly important format for delivering information.

… Crafting 21st century solutions for equitable access to information while ensuring authors and publishers have a fair return on their investments is our common goal. The transition to the e-book format should not result in less availability.

  • Laer Carroll

    There is a better solution to the concerns which led HarperCollins and other publishers to limit the number of checkouts of a electronic book. The solution would benefit publishers, libraries, authors – and readers.

    This is to create a modern version of the OTHER BOOKS BY list most publishers include in their printed books. There are several alternative ways to do this. Each (as with most solutions to problems) have their advantages and disadvantages.

    Before we consider specifics, think instead of the use you have put to the OBB list. Many times you have come across a terrific author new to you, or a terrific series new to you by a familiar author. You go to the OBB list at the front of the book and then search for the first book by the author or the first book in the series.

    Sometimes you must fumble a bit, and consult the OBB lists in several books, but finally you go to the library shelf and find the very first book ever written by the author or in the series. Perhaps you check it out immediately, or first sit and sample the book. It is not unusual for you to finish reading all the books, and realize you want your very own copy of one or several of them. Then you go to the bookstore, physical or virtual, and purchase it or them.

    One electronic alternative to the physical OBB list is a link at the beginning of each e-book (which can be repeated at the end of it). It should be discreet but not easily overlooked. It could look like this.

    Other books at HarperCollins by Joyce Carol Oates. Notice that both the publisher and author are links. Typically such links stay the same for years or even decades. But the pages at the end of the link DO NOT. The HarperCollins web site will grow and change its look, perhaps many times. Ms. Oates will write new books, or because of new interest have an out-of-print book reprinted. Perhaps a film of one of her books will become vastly popular and a picture book will be published with stills from the movie and even the script for the film.

    In this scenario it becomes insane for HarperCollins to limit the number of checkouts of any of its ebooks. Because each ebook becomes a portal to the world of HarperCollins.

    Perhaps many years from now HarperCollins will be bought and folded into a larger organization. Then the HC link become obsolete. BUT the new organization merely need create what is called a redirect link. This translates the HC link to an updated link.

    And the ebook sitting on the virtual library shelf remains current.

  • Laer Carroll

    There is a better solution to the concerns which led HarperCollins and other publishers to limit the number of checkouts of a electronic book. The solution would benefit publishers, libraries, authors – and readers.

    This is to create a modern version of the OTHER BOOKS BY list most publishers include in their printed books. There are several alternative ways to do this. Each (as with most solutions to problems) have their advantages and disadvantages.

    Before we consider specifics, think instead of the use you have put to the OBB list. Many times you have come across a terrific author new to you, or a terrific series new to you by a familiar author. You go to the OBB list at the front of the book and then search for the first book by the author or the first book in the series.

    Sometimes you must fumble a bit, and consult the OBB lists in several books, but finally you go to the library shelf and find the very first book ever written by the author or in the series. Perhaps you check it out immediately, or first sit and sample the book. It is not unusual for you to finish reading all the books, and realize you want your very own copy of one or several of them. Then you go to the bookstore, physical or virtual, and purchase it or them.

    One electronic alternative to the physical OBB list is a link at the beginning of each e-book (which can be repeated at the end of it). It should be discreet but not easily overlooked. It could look like this.

    Other books at HarperCollins by Joyce Carol Oates. Notice that both the publisher and author are links. Typically such links stay the same for years or even decades. But the pages at the end of the link DO NOT. The HarperCollins web site will grow and change its look, perhaps many times. Ms. Oates will write new books, or because of new interest have an out-of-print book reprinted. Perhaps a film of one of her books will become vastly popular and a picture book will be published with stills from the movie and even the script for the film.

    In this scenario it becomes insane for HarperCollins to limit the number of checkouts of any of its ebooks. Because each ebook becomes a portal to the world of HarperCollins.

    Perhaps many years from now HarperCollins will be bought and folded into a larger organization. Then the HC link become obsolete. BUT the new organization merely need create what is called a redirect link. This translates the HC link to an updated link.

    And the ebook sitting on the virtual library shelf remains current.

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